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PL 531mm WW I ATTORNEYS ZSheets-SheetZ. R. W. THOMPSON. v WAGON-TOPSAN 'No.194.061.

D COVERS.

Patented Aug.14,1877.

ATTORNEY-.8

.R-OBERT THOMPSON,

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.or LEV'E'LANIDF, 0 1110,.

Specification forming part of Letters Patent No. 194,061, dated August 14, 1877; application filed July 10, 1877.

To all whom it may concern:

Be it known that I, ROBERT W. THOMPP SON, of Cleveland, in the county of ()uyahoga and State of Ohio, have invented certain new and useful Improvementsin Wagon Tops and Covers and I do hereby declare the following to be a full, clear, and exact description of the invention, such as will enable others skilled in the artto which it pertains to make and use it, reference being had to the accompanying drawings, which form part of this specification.

My invention relates to an improvement in wagon tops and covers.

In the drawing, Figure 1 is a plan view of my wagon-cover flattened out; Fig. 2, a View of my removable bows and onemethod of attaching them to the wagon-body. Fig. 3 shows a few of the various uses to which my device is applicable.

My invention consists in the following parts and combinations, as hereinafter specified and claimed, wherein A is the top cover, and A straps with buckles provided at each end thereof; A a strip attached to the fore and aft edges of the top cover A, which strip is in two pieces, buckled together. when desired to be continuous, by the buckle A. B represents removable bows, of which there may be one or two sets to a wagon, as desired, as will hereinafter more fully appear. These bows are, by any suitable means, arranged readily at-' tachable and detachable to and from the wagon, carriage, sleigh, or sled upon which they are desired to be used, and any suitable means may be employed for securing these bows at any desired angle or any desired degree of spread. To one of the bows B, preferably the middle one, is attached a loop, B, through which may pass the strap A whereby the top cover is held more securely'in its desired position.

I willnow proceed to describe some of the various uses to which my invention may be applied, as it is my design in this invention to furnish at a limited expense a variety of articles useful to the farmer or to the traveler, or to the proprietors of city and huckster wagons.

The material of which the cover should be made ispreferably water-proof, such as sail or awning canvas, rubber, or the like. form shown in Fig. 1 it may be used as a blanket-cover to anything or for any purpose to which a tight canvas of its size and shape may be appropriated. If two sets of bows, B, are placed upon the wagon-body, the cover A can be so arranged over them as to suit the ordinary caravan or emigranttop. By removing one of the bows the top may be so folded and disposed about the remaining one as to form an acceptable calash-top.

Again, supposing the farmer is at market, a variety of uses useful in this situation may be made of my devices, as follows: The removable bow may be placed at the back of the wagon and pitched forward in such a way as to afiord an awning to the proprietor, while the remainder of the cover' may be thrown back over the wagon in such a manner as to afl'ord a complete covering to its contents or the top may be attached to the bows B and allowed to come out over the pavement, thus forming, in bad weather or in hot weather, a protection alike to the proprietor and his customers.

In cold or rainy weather a calash-top may be made of a portion of the cover, while the remainder may be drawn down behind the back of the driver beneath the seat and brought out in front of him, so that it may be brought up and cover the driver, after the fashion of a lap-robe, thus affording almost a complete protection. Beside the buckles A or the straps A button-holes, eyelets, or loops suitably placed about the curtain will afiord ample means for the accomplishment of all the above uses, and many more, by any unskilled person, while the portability of the bows B and the entire device, its adaptability to a vehicle of any description, its simplicity, and its cheapness place it within the reach of a person of limited means, and require but little care and skill in its use.

Besides the uses hereinbefore specified to which my invention is susceptible, it may be employed in the army as a covering to the caisson and. cannon, forming a calash-top to the caisson and its driver, and a substantial covering to the cannon in the rear, as shown In the in the illustration, Sheet 2. When not used for this purpose it may be employed as a tent.

What I claim is 1. The sheet A, provided with buckles A and strip A substantially as and for the purposes described.

2. The combination, with the bows B, the sheet or cover A, and strip A, substantially as and for the purposes described.

3. In combination with the Wagoner other vehicle, the removable bows B .and cover A A A ,"substantially as and for the purposes described.

In testimony whereof I have signed my name to this specification in the presence of two subscribing witnesses.

ROBERT W. THOMPSON. Witnesses:

FRANCIS TOUMEY, W. E. DONNELLY. 

